--- title: "Passing Strange: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/passing-strange/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/passing-strange" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Passing Strange (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Every one of the eight reviews is positive, and the praise gathers in the same places. Critics like the songs, described as catchy, witty and quirky, and they like the performers, whose work on stage is called remarkable and electric. The coming-of-age story, about a young Black man’s artistic self-discovery, is found moving and intelligent rather than merely a frame for the numbers. Most also credit Spike Lee’s multicamera filming of the final Broadway performances with catching the show’s energy, and The New York Times goes further, finding the film tighter than the stage production. The reservations, such as they are, concern Lee’s direction. Time Out calls it overly reverential and a little uninspired, and Slant Magazine finds some of the crane shots a distraction from a record that otherwise reproduces the stage experience well. The spread is narrow, with the coolest notices still recommending the film, and nobody questions the material itself. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 August 2009. The critic calls it one of the best musicals seen, praising the depth of the story, intelligent music, and Spike Lee's skillful recording of the performance. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/passing-strange-2009) ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Rating A-. 20 August 2009. Spike Lee skillfully documents the final Broadway performances with artful camera work and editing that matches the music's energy. The review praises the catchy, quirky score, the performers' remarkable work, and the moving, self-reflective coming-of-age story. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/passing-strange-1798206808) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 January 2009. Festival review. Spike Lee's film deftly captures the exuberance of the Broadway musical and affirms its theme of creative discovery. It highlights the stirring music, fine performances, and energetic celebration of artistic discovery through a dynamic multicamera setup. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/film-review-passing-strange-92761/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Rating Critic's Pick. 20 August 2009. The critic finds the filmed version of the stage musical even stronger than the Broadway production, noting how the direction tightens the narrative and immerses viewers in both the story and the performers' transformations. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/movies/21passing.html) ## Variety — Dennis Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2009. Festival review. The critic describes it as a first-rate multicamera record of a terrific show that delights musical fans with its witty writing, winning performances, and catchy songs. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/passing-strange-1200473158/) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 August 2009. The filmed performance is a worthy record of the smart, engaging musical that blends rock concert energy with a rich character portrait of identity and self-deception. Spike Lee's direction mostly recreates the stage experience but sometimes distracts with unnecessary crane shots, though the poignant ending epiphany stands out. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/passing-strange/) ## Time Out — Stephen Garrett Rating 4 out of 5 stars. 18 August 2009. The critic finds the concert film expertly captures the musical's rousing and soulful energy through its vivid cast and performances, but notes the direction is overly reverential and somewhat uninspired. They single out the electric ensemble and the way the recording preserves the production's potent essence. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/passing-strange-1) ## Collider — Thomas Butt Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic notes that Spike Lee's filmed version of the stage musical honors its theatrical roots while adding subtle cinematic flair through editing and camerawork. It singles out the eclectic music and emotional performances for praise as a bold take on Black experience and self-discovery. [Read the review](https://collider.com/spike-lee-passing-strange-musical-adaptation/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/passing-strange.md